We also recognize the thousands of Indigenous Veterans across Canada for their valiant service, the barriers they faced and the injustices they endured, all in pursuit of a freedom they were so often denied themselves. The Canadian Medical Association is committed to doing better.

Our work on Indigenous health is guided by a group of First Nations, Inuit and Métis leaders, experts, Elders and Knowledge Keepers. One of the Indigenous Guiding Circle members is Jimmy Durocher, a Métis Elder and Veteran of the Royal Canadian Air Force. Today we recognize Elder Jimmy.

The CMA is ready to work with every level of government to use every tool in our collective toolbox to improve #AccessToCare.

We remind all levels of government that there are other tangible steps that can improve health care in Canada at little to no long-term cost, such as improving how health data is collected and shared, and enabling physicians to work across provincial and territorial borders.

Health care is not just a social program; it’s an economic driver. Canada should be using this significant health spend to develop new technologies and scientific breakthroughs we need to improve #AccessToCare, while strengthening the economy.

We look forward to collaborating with the government on urgently needed initiatives from its campaign platform, such as adding thousands of new doctors, scaling up team-based care, reducing unnecessary paperwork and enabling health professionals to work when and where they’re needed.

The CMA applauds the decision to do a comprehensive assessment of health care and health infrastructure needs in the North, to increase access to care and reduce medical travel costs through engagement with Northern and Arctic Indigenous Peoples.

We also need capacity to train more health care professionals to staff those hospitals and clinics, including international graduates. The new Foreign Credential Recognition Action Fund is a positive step to improving Canada’s health worker shortfall, but we can't stop there.

Today’s infrastructure funding is a step in the right direction to creating new health facilities and fixing up the aging hospitals and clinics that Canadians depend on.